Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Corn”
Mark Oppold with An American Agriculture History Minute highlights a surprising and influential chapter in U.S. agricultural and marketing history—one that connects food production, consumer tastes, and one of the most recognizable mascots in America. Leo Burnett’s Early Career in Agriculture Leo Burnett, who would later become one of the most influential figures in advertising history, began his career working …
Labor, Land, and Innovation: How 19th-Century Farming Became More Efficient American agriculture in the 19th century underwent a profound transformation as new tools and techniques reshaped how crops were planted, cultivated, and harvested. A comparison of corn and wheat production between 1850 and 1890 reveals how early mechanization dramatically reduced labor demands while maintaining similar land requirements. These changes laid …
From Hand Labor to Heavy Work: Early American Farming Agricultural production in the United States continued to expand in the early 1800s, but farming remained an intensely labor-driven endeavor. Despite growing demand and expanding acreage, efficiency was limited by the tools available to farmers. By 1850, it took an estimated 75 to 90 labor hours to produce 100 bushels of …
When people think about America’s agricultural powerhouses, Minnesota is not always the first state that comes to mind. Yet in 1915, Minnesota stood at the very center of the U.S. food system. As Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, the state—driven by milling giants in Minneapolis—became the flour capital of the United States, producing nearly all of …
A Snapshot of Agricultural Progress American agriculture has always been shaped by innovation, but few changes were as transformative as the mechanization of farming. In this American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold outlines how corn production efficiency evolved between 1850 and 1930—revealing how fewer labor hours and less land dramatically increased productivity. Corn Production in 1850: Heavy Labor, Limited Efficiency …
Grain Markets Search for Support After Major Data Release The grain markets faced their largest data release of the year last Monday, and the results have kept pressure on prices across key commodities. With sellers still largely in control, market analysts are now closely watching technical levels to determine where new price support may emerge for corn, soybeans, and wheat. …
Settling Ohio After the Appalachian Crossing Once early American settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains, many chose to stop rather than continue westward. After enduring difficult and often dangerous travel, these settlers found what is now eastern and central Ohio to be an ideal place to establish permanent communities. Fertile land and favorable growing conditions made the region especially attractive to …
USDA Releases Per-Acre Payment Details for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Payments for the new Farmer Bridge Assistance Program are just around the corner, providing much-anticipated financial support for farmers facing continued economic pressure. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced the next phase of the program, confirming that eligible commodities will receive one-time per-acre payments designed to help producers …
Grains and Livestock Futures Reflect Market Calm Amid Venezuela Geopolitical Shift It’s been 85 years since the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. January 7th, 2026 won’t be remembered in the same way, but military action in Venezuela years from now could be seen as a major turning point in world events. Recent geopolitical developments in Venezuela have …
Grain and Livestock Futures Move in Opposite Directions Early in the New Year Grain and livestock futures are starting the new year on sharply different paths, highlighting contrasting supply-and-demand forces across the agricultural markets. While corn and soybean futures remain under technical pressure, cattle markets continue to surge to new highs driven by animal health concerns and border restrictions. In …
